Brussels, 16/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 16 April, the European Commission decided to refer Belgium and Finland to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose Directive 2010/31/EU fully on the energy performance of buildings. This directive requires member states to establish and apply minimum energy performance requirements for all buildings, to ensure the certification of this performance, and to demand the regular inspection of heating and air conditioning systems. It also requires them to ensure that all new buildings are zero-energy (in other words, their energy consumption is virtually nil) by 2021. Transposition of the directive was due to be achieved by 9 July 2012. The Commission has set daily fines of €19,178.25 for Finland and €42,178.50 for Belgium. The fines will be due to start from the date of the judgment of the Court - should the judgment be affirmative - and will continue until the full transposition of the directive. The Court will decide on the final amount of the daily fine. (EH)